Clutch



June 11, 1940- P. H. BATTEN Er A1. 2,204,337

CLUTCH Filed Jan. 13, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l June ll 1940 P. H. BATTENErm. y 2,204,337

CLUTCH Filed Jan. 13. 1938 i 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 L/ I l l f/fy/g/ /f /Z/ 7l 5:*

L57 iii I i' JQ l l l j( 067 (K076i June 11, 1940. P. H. BA1-TEN Er A1.

CLUTCH Filed Jan. l5. 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 11, 1940 yUNITED Sinisiitsk l Percy H. Batten and DonaldW; Morris, Racineg.

Wis., assignors to Twin Disc` Clutch Company, Racine, Wis., acorporation of Wisconsin Applicationsonuaryis, 1938, serial-No,v 184,748

23 Claims. (Cl'.'1 92-768) Our invention relates to vclutches l of the vFig. 5 is an end/view of the clutch, partly in mechanically loaded typeand is more particusection, 'as viewedjin the direction ofthe arrowlarly concerned with a construction in whichy 5 offFigfl';

one of the vinterconnected rotary elements con- Fig. 6 isvanfenlargedsection, taken along the f .stitutes one of. the clamping members of-the line f5- t in` Fig.- 1, looking in the direction of 5- clutch. 5the arrows, and showing thelocking means ein-- 4Orne object of ourinvention is to provide a ployed to hold the adjusting ring. in anydeter# clutch in which the major operative elements, mined position; fincluding the movable yclamping plate, aresup- Fig. 7, is a plan Viewofl the construction shown 1Q poi'teddirectly, or indirectly through theplate,4 .in Fig. 5, 1001 insin-the directiOnf the allOW 10 by thedevices which drivably connect-the plate i insaid figure; v to a. rotarypart forming one of the members Fig. 3- iSaeCtiOnal. elevation V0f amodified ofthe clutch. l lform of 'our improved clutch, corresponding toA further'objectis to provide a clutch in which v thatu illustrated inFgl, but Sho-Wing aV difthe clamping plate andthe associated elementslferent arrangementof the 'operating'` lever and 15 are. arranged. foreasy,y and rapid attachment afSiYnCttll''i VaialiOn O'f i18-`2idjiliingring;

to and detachmentfrom a iywheel or other ro- Fig- 9 is a sectional View'of a further modifitary. part, thus facilitating repairrandreplacecation, the clutch vbeing shown in r12iSedD0- ment of theComponent elements, sition, and including a form of operating sleeve 2oA further object is to devise-a clutch in which whichY may' be Simplymade from sheet metal 2o the operating levers are held. in driving posiOI' tubing; and

tion against inadvertent. release and are main- Fi@ 10 iS filagmentrySECtiOnai View Show* tained in non-rattling, release position by cenfingn. flliiilel type 0f Operai/ing" SieVe WhiCil trifugal force and theextending. action of ren may be nddiiiinally'arrangedtoaCi as the innerlease springs. f race'ofv al ball bearing whose outer racev serves 25Further objects are to provide simple-fand 31S the Operating COllaI.veffective forms of locking for the adjusting ring Referring t0 Figs.- 1120 7;, inClnSiVe, 0i in@ of the clutch, the economical iashioning ofthe drawings, thef numeral 'iiifieigntti 2i Shaft adjusting ring andoperating sleeve out ofsheet @OnSiitUinone 0f the WwW-Dalits that ai@ inmetal, and the use of the operating sleeve as one -tercOnnB'CteCi bytheI Clutch Structure herein 3o race of a ball bearing Whose outer racefuncnf't1'-des01ibeii Mld Which, fOnnllIpGSe 0f BX- tions as theoperating collar. Y ample, may be regarded. as a d rivel shaft, al.-

These and further' objects of our invention thougilille @OndiiiOnS 0fOperatin may be ree. win be set 'forman the following'speoinoation,versed as tf1-this Particular: -A flywheel H. is

35 reference being had to the. accompanying dyaw.. @secured to the.shaft Hi and earriesin circurn- 35,

ings, and the novel means by whichisaid objects eeniaiiy spaced felationadjacent its periph are. efectuated will be denitely pointed-out' in@YYv piula1ty 0f driving. Pins' 2a. three' Stich the claims. pinsV beingshown in `tl'ie'present arrangement;

In the drgwvmgs;y Y @The bifurcated end I3 of eachpin extends be- 40Eigure 1 is a sectional elevation of oneiormv ynd'ine Fight faite-'0fthe flywheel ibas vleWe'd'tm of ourimproved clutch, as. taken alongtheline in" Fg- 1J OI' dIiVingCOnneCtiOn With 2J. Slot Hi ve--l in Fig.5, looking in the direction of 'the -cut inwardly from theedse face O fa s hfiabi@ arrows, the clutch being sh'ovvnv in engaged posi- ClampingDlatls These' pins nO. Only 86W@ tion; f as a driving connection, butadditionally supv Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view,similar g Dfntthe plate on the'flyWheel. f to that shown in Fig; 1, but showing 'the'clutchy Tile ODDOSed faCeS .0fii1"fiY.WhEl and' Dinie in releasedposition; v are intended to frictionally engage iacings i6 Fig. 3 is afragmentary View, looking inthe oisuitable materialwhich arefsecured'tooppof direction of the arrow 3 in Fig. 2, showing the "site SidesA of aClutch plate H that is dni/'ably 5 0 connection of one. of the4operating leverstoa connected to a driven shaft I8 so. that itis free 50driving pin; f to' assume positions between the plate and ily- Fig. 4 isa section along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2, Wheel. f lookingin the directionof the arrows, and show. The plate l5v is provided with an integral fingv they relation of the adjusting ring to one tubular extension. I9that is-bored'to supportably 5 5: ofthe operating 1in'l:s; r receivean,v operating, sleeve Zlin coaxial rela'- 55 tion to the shaft lil. Theinner end of this sleeve is shaped with a conical surface 2| and thesleeve is held against rotation relative to the extension i9 by a setscrew 22 that is threaded in the extension and has an end projectinginto a keyway 23 formed in the sleeve. Accordingly, the sleeve partakesof the rotary movement of the clamping plate, but is adapted to move inaxial directions relative thereto. Endwise movement of the sleeve iseffected through the medium of an annular flange 2d provided on thesleeve which fits within an annular groove 25 provided in an operatingcollar 26. Integrally formed with this collar is a pair of trunnions 2lthat may be engaged by a suitable shifting device (not shown) such asthe usual fork.

The operating mechanism for the. clutch comprises a plurality of levers2t, each of which has its outer end pivotally mounted between the armsof the bifurcated end of a driving pin l2, this pivotal connection inthe present instance lying Within the plane of the clamping plate l5.Each lever is then bent and extends inwardly toward the shaft i8relatively close to the adjacent face of the clamping plate and, at itsinner end, is pivotally connected to one end of a dual link structure 23whose opposite end rotatably supports between the elements of the link aroller 30. The inner edge face of that portion of the lever whichextends along the outer face of the clamping plate is provided with aboss 3| which is intended to abut against a pin 32 that is mounted inthe plate, so that when the lever is moved in a clockwise direction, ashereinafter described, the clamping plate l5 will be shifted to adriving position. Clearance for the inner ends of the levers and linksis provided by forming a number of openings 33 in the extension, i9.

The extension is externally threaded to receive an adjusting ring 313whose inner or left face is beveled as at 35 to provide an inclinedsurface fo-r coasting with the roller 3d as hereinafter explained. Inorder to maintain the ring 34 in any adjusted position, a slot 3b is cutinwardly from the peripheral wall thereof to a depth suicient to exposea parti-circular portion of the threads of the extension I9 and a pin 37is bridged between the walls of this slot. Encircling this pin is oneend of a wire 3B whose opposite end is cut to a length sufficient toprovide a slender finger '3S which is gripped against the threads of theextension l@ by means of a set screw llt. New positions of the adjustingring may be eected from time to time simply by withdrawing the set screwil@ sufficiently to relieve the pressure of the linger 39, making theadjustment and again clamping the finger in looking position.

In describing the operation of our improved clutch, it will beunderstood that the coned end 2i of the sleeve 20 constitutes theprimary element of a device for actuating the operating mechanismrepresented by the lever 28 and the associated parts and that thebeveled surface 35 functions as the secondary element during thisoperation; also, that, when the parts are occupying the releasedposition shown in Fig. 2, the position of the roller 3E in contact withthe surfaces 2 and 35 is maintained by the pressure of the releasesprings lll which are interposed in circumferentially spaced relationbetween the face of the flywheel and appropriate pockets formed in theface of the clamping plate i5, and also by centrifugal force operatingon the lever 23. Due to the mass of this lever and the position of itspivotal connection to the driving pin i2, it overcomes the tendency ofthe roller 30 to move outwardly under the inuence of centrifugal force.

To engage the clutch, the sleeve 20 is moved toward the left from theposition shown in Fig. 2, thereby causing a corresponding movement onthe part of the link 29 and effecting a clockwise movement of theoperating lever 28. During this action, the roller 30 bears against theinclined surface 35 as an abutment, to thereby effect an axial movementof the clamping plate l5 toward the flywheel.

The foregoing action continues as the sleeve 2li is moved toward theleft and, as the roller 3U moves outwardly along the coned surface 2l,it also moves toward the ywheel due to the inclination of the surface35. This operation is essentially in the nature of a pinching action inwhich the surfaces 2| and 35 operate as the jaws of the pincer but withthe surface 2l moving relatively to the other surface. Eventually, thesleeve 20 is moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 1 and, at thistime, the roller 3U rests on the cylindrical surface of the sleeve 20andI the operating elements ofthe clutch are substantially locked in theengaged position.

When the sleeve 2D is moved from the position illustrated in Fig. 1toward that illustrated in Fig. 2, the roller 30 finally rides inwardlyalong the surface 2i and this action is essentially effected by theextending movement of the release springs and the centrifugal movementof the levers 28, as already described.

The modified construction illustrated in Fig. 8 differs from that abovedescribed in that each operating lever 42 is connected by a pivot pin 44to a driving pin 43 at a point offset exteriorly from the clamping plateand, preferably, so that the pivot pin 44 lies in the same planetransverse to the axis of the clutch that includes the pivotalconnection of the inner end of the lever to the link d5. This change inthe pivotal connection of the lever and driving pin facilitatesmanufacture and also assembly in the field and, in order to insureproper releasing movement of the lever, a counterbalanoe weight i6 iscarried by the lever in the place generally indicated, or some othersuitable position along the length of the lever.

A further structural change in this particular modification consists inthe use of an adjusting ring il which is preferably formed from sheetmetal and embodies an annular, flared flange i3 whose inner surfaceperforms the same function in the operation of this modification as doesthe inclined surface 35 in Fig. l. The adjusted position of this ringmay be effected by providing the periphery of the flange 48 with aplurality of slots #i9 for receiving the end of a spring finger 50 thatis carried by the tubular extension of the clamping plate 5l. Otherwise,the structural details and operation of this modilication are identicalwith those already described.

In the further modification illustrated in Fig. 9, the particulardifferentiation from the construction illustrated in Fig. 8 resides inthe use of an operating sleeve 52 that may be made from sheet metal ofappropriate gauge, or simple tubing. In a functional sense, this sleevecorresponds to the sleeve 20 in Fig. l. The inner end of the sleeve 52may be bent to form a coned end 53, corresponding to the surface 2| inFig. l, and encircling and closely fitting the opposite end of thesleeve is the inner race of a ball bearing 54. Endwise movement' ofthisfbearing in one direction is prevented by curling outwardlythe'adjacent end of the sleeve 52, as indicated generally by the numeral55, and, in the oppo-` site direction, by rolling an internal groove. in

the wall of the sleeve 52 to provide an annular boss 5E. Also, the outerrace of the bearing 54 may have integrally formed therewith trunnions 57for engagement with the usual shifting device (not shown). Obviously,the use of sheet metal for the adjusting and operating sleeve materiallyreduces the manufacturing cost of the clutch.

In Fig. 10 is illustrated a further modified arrangement of an operatingsleeve 58 which may be associated with the tubular extension 59 .of aclamping plate (not shown) inthe same manner as already described forthe structure illustrated in Fig. l. In this modification, the sleeve 58is intended to function as the inner race of a ball bearing and, forthis purpose, lanannular groove 60 is formed in the outer surfaceadjacent the end thereof to receive aplurality of balls 6i. Encirclingthese balls is an outer race 62 that may have integrallyv formed'therewith the usual trunnions 83 for a purpose already discussed. Anadjusting ring M, similar to the ring 4l, may be employed in thismodiiication.

It will,'of course, be understood that the sev' eral elements as abovedescribed may be associated in any various combinations. For example,the adjusting ring, operating sleeve and levers shown in Fig. 9 may besubstituted for the corresponding parts illustrated in Fig. 1, and viceversa. Also, the operating sleeve illustrated in Fig.' l0 may besubstituted for any of the sleeves shown in the remaining figures of thedrawings.

In all of the modifications, and since theoperative 'levers have aconstant throw, suitable adjustment of the clutch may be eiectedy as thefriction facings wear by properly rotating the adjusting ring and;thereafterlocking the same in position. Generally speaking, theadvantages of the clutch are its compactness of design, ease andadjustment of operation, ease of attachment and to and fromrthe flywheelthrough detachment the medium of the driving pins, and the economy incertain of the modifications resulting fromy the use of sheet metal forthe adjusting ring and operating sleeve. Finally, kit will be understoodthat the ywheel which is illustrated as constituting one of thevclamping members of the clutch is generally indicative` of any memberthat maybe used for this .purpose and may, for example, be formed simplyas an ordinary plate or disc.

' We claim:

1. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate adapted to grip a clutch platetherebetween, of an operating lever pivotally connected to the memberand adapted to bear against the, clamping plate rand shift the same toclamping position, a link pivoted at one end on the lever, and pinchingmeans for shifting the lever to clamping position comprising coactingparts having angularly'disposed vsurfaces engageable with the oppositeenaof the link, one vor the parts being movable relative to the other.

2;In a'clutch, the combination with a driv-y ing. position, a linkpivoted at one-end on-the lever, and pinching means for shifting thelever to` clamping' position comprising coacting parts having angularlydisposed surfaces engageable with kthe opposite end of the link, one ofthe parts being movable relativeto the other and the other part beingcarried by an extensionprovided Ion the plate. v y

3. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate adapted to grip a clutch platetherebetween, of an operating lever pivotally connected to the memberand adapted to bear against the plate and shift the same to clampingposition, a link pivoted aty one end on the lever, and pinching meansfor Ashifting the lever to clamping position comprising coacting parts.having angularly disposed surfaces engageable with the opposite end ofthe link, one of the parts being movable relative to the other and bothparts being carried by an extension providedv 0n the clamping plate.

4. In a clutch,lthe combination with a drivably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate having a tubular extension coaxialwithY the clutch, the memberand plate being adapted to ygrip a clutchplate therebetween, of an operating lever pivotally connected to themember and extending inwardly toward the'axis of the clutch relativelyrclose to and adapted to bear against the outer'face of the clampingplate, a

link pivoted` at one end on the lever, a sleeve slidable in theextension and an adjusting ring threaded externally on theextension, thesleeve and ring having angularly disposed surfaces engageable with theopposite end of the link to shift the same and the connected levertoclamping position.

5. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connectedk clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate having a tubular extension coaxialwith the clutch, rthe memberv and plate being adapted to grip a clutchplate therebetween, of an operating lever pivotally lconnected to themember and extending inwardly toward the axis of the clutch relativelyclose toA and adapted to bear against the outer face of the clampingplate, the pivot connection ofthe lever to the member lyingsubstantially in the plane of the clamping plate, a link pivoted at oneend on the lever, ar sleeve slidable in and an adjusting ring threadedexternally on the extension, the sleeve andring having angularlydisposed surfaces engageable with the opposite end of the link to shiftthe same and the connected lever to clamping position. 1

6. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingmember yand shiftable clamping plate -having a tubular extension coberand extending inwardly toward 'ther axis of the clutch relatively closeto and adapted to bear against the outer face of the clamping plate, alink pivoted at one end on the lever, the pivotal connections of thelever to the member and link, respectively, lying insubstantially thesame plane, a sleeve slidable in and an adjusting ring threadedexternally -on the extension, the sleeve and ring having angularlydisposed surfaces engageable with the opposite end of the link to shiftthe same and the connected lever to clamp-l ing position, and acounterweight carried by the lever and offset from the plane includingsaid.

pivotal connections to assist in the releasing movement of the lever.V

'7. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate having a tubular extension coaxialwith the clutch, the member and plate being adapted to grip a clutchplate therebetween, of an operating lever pivotally connected to themember and extending inwardly toward the axis of the clutch relativelyclose to and adapted to bear against the outer face of the clampingplate, a link pivoted at one end on the lever, a sleeve slidable in andan adjusting ring threaded eX- ternally on the extension, the sleeve andring having angularly disposed surfaces engageable with the opposite endof the link to shift the same and the connected lever to clampingposition, and release springs interposed between the clamping plate andmember for maintaining contact of the end of the link with the surfaceswhen the clutch is released.

8. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate having a tubular extension coaxialwith the clutch, the member and plate being adapted to grip a clutchplate therebetween, of an operating lever pivotally connected to themember and extending inwardly toward the axis of the clutch relativelyclose to and adapted to bear against the outer face of the clampingplate, a link pivoted at one end on the lever, a sleeve slidable in theextension, an adjusting ring threaded externally on the extension andhaving an outwardly directed ange provided with a multislottedperipheral edge, the sleeve and ring hav ing angularly disposed surfacesengageable with the opposite end of the link to shift the same and theconnected lever to clamping position, and a spring finger carried by theclamping plate and engageable with one of the slots to maintain the ringinV adjusted position.

9. In clutch construction comprising friction plates for providing adriving connection between rotary parts and lever means for engaging theplates, the combination of a member mounted to rotate with one of theplates, an adjusting ring threaded on the member and adapted to act asan abutment for the lever means, a pressure element carried by the ringfor engag ing the threads on the member to maintain the adjustedposition of the ring, and means carried by the ring for forcing theelement into contact with the threads.

l0. In clutch construction comprising friction plates for providing adriving connection between rotary parts and lever means for engaging theplates, the combination of a member mounted to rotate with one of theplates, an adjusting ring threaded on the member and adapted to act asan abutment for the lever means, a wire nger pivoted on the ring toengage the threads on the member and maintain the adjusted position ofthe ring, and a set screw carried by the ring for forcing the fingerinto contact with the threads.

11. In a clutch, the combination with a driv- .ably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate adapted to grip a clutch platetherebetween, of an operating lever pivotally connected to the memberand adapted to bear against the clamping platel and shift the same .toclamping position, a link pivoted at one end on the lever, and meansengageable with the opposite end of the link comprising an abutment partand a part movable relative to the abutment part, the movable partswinging the link against an inclined surface provided on the abutmentpart to thereby shift the lever to clamping position.

12. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate adapted to grip a clutch platetherebetween, of an operating iever pivotally connected to the memberand adapted to bear against the clamping plate and shift the same toclamping position, a link pivoted at one end on the lever, and meansengageable with the opposite end of the link comprising an abutment partand a part movable relative to the abutment part, the abutment partbeing carried by an extension provided on the clamping plate and themovable part swinging the link against an inclined surface provided onthe abutment part to there-by shift the lever to clamping position.

13. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate adapted to grip a clutch platetherebetween, of an operating lever pivotailly connected to the memberand adapted to bear against the clamping plate and shift the same toclamping position, a link pivoted at one end on the lever, andmeansengageable with the opposite end of the link comprising an abutment partand a part movable relative to the abutment part, the movable part beingsupported by an extension provided on the clamping plate and swingingthe link against an inclined surface provided on the abutment part tothereby shift the lever to clamping position.

14. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate adapted to grip a clutch platetherebetween, of an operating lever pivotally connected to the memberand adapted to bear against the clamping plate and shift the same toclamping position, a link pivoted at one end on the lever, and meansengageable with the opposite end of the link comprising an abutment partand a part movable relative to the abutment part, both parts beingcarried by an extension provided on the clamping plate and the movablepart swinging the link against an inclined surface provided on theabutment part to thereby shift the lever to clamping position.

l5. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingmember and shiftable clamping plate adapted to grip a clutch platetherebetween, of an operating lever for shifting the clamping plate toclamping position, a part connected to the lever and movable withrespect thereto, an abutment device, and a device movable relative tothe abutment device, the movable device shifting the part against aninclined surface provided on the abutment device to thereby move thelever to clamping position, the surface being directed outwardly andtowards the clamping plate.

16. In a clutch construction comprising friction elements engageable toprovide a driving connection between rotary parts, the combination of alever operably associated with the elements and rockable to effect theirengagement, a part connected to the lever and movable with respectthereto, an abutment device, and a device movable relative to theabutment device, the movable device shifting the part against aninclined surface provided on the abutment device to thereby move thelever to clamping position, the surface being directed outwardly andtowards the elements.

17. In a clutch, the combination of a clamping member, a shiftableclamping plate adapted on vthe lever,l and means engageable with theropposite end of the link comprisingfan abutment part and a part movablerelative tothe abut- ,I ment part, the movable part swinging the linkvon the abutment. part to thereby shift the levers to grip a clutch plateagainst the member, studs providing a' driving connection between thememabutment part anda part movable relative to' the abutment part, themovable part swinging the links againsty an inclined surface provided onthe abutment part to thereby shift lthe levers to clamping position. e

18. In a clutch, the combination with a driv-l ably connected clampingmember `andshiftablev clamping plate adapted to grip a clutch platetherebetween, of ,an `operating lever pivotally connected to the memberand extending inwardly towards the axis of the clutch relatively closeto and adapted tobear against the outer facel of the clamping plate, alink pivoted at one end againstan inclined surface provided on ltheabutment part to thereby'shift the lever to clamping position.

19. In a c1utch,the combination of a clamping member, a shiftableclamping plate' adapted to grip a clutch plate against the member,studs' face of the clamp-ing plate, a link pivoted at oney end thereofon each lever, and means engageable with the opposite ends of the links.comprising v to the member lying substantially in theplane fof theclamping plate, alink pivoted at one end on the lever, and pinchingmeans for shifting the an abutment part and a part movable relative tothe abutment part, the movable part swinging the links against aninclined surface provided to clamping position.

20. In clutch construction. comprising friction e. elements engageableto provide a driving connece tion between rotary parts, thecombinationof a lever operably associated with the'velementsfand Zrockable to'elect their engagement, a partconnected tothe lever and movable withrespect thereto, anabutment device, anda device movable krelative to theabutment device, the movable device shifting the part against aninclined surf face provide'don the abutmentV device to thereby move thelever to clamping-position and they abut-y vided on one of the elements.

, k21. An adjusting device for a clutch having friction platesengageable to provide a driving member adapted to rotatewith one oftheplates,

' an adjusting ring threaded onthememberand and means carried by theringfor forcing the'r element into contactk with the threads.r

22. An adjusting device for a clutch having ment kdevice being carriedby an extension prov connection `between rotary parts-comprising afriction `plates engageable tolprovide a :driving `connection betweenrotary parts comprising a memberadapted to rotate with one of theplates,

an adjusting ring threaded onthe member andk -adapted tofact as anabutment lwhen the plates arefengagedfa wirenger pivotedy on the ringvto engage the threads on the memberand mainftain the adjusted position'yof the ring, and a setscrew carried by the ring` for forcing the fingeryinto contact With the threads.

.23. In a clutch, the combination with a drivably connected clampingVmember and shiftable. y

fclamping plate adaptedtdgrip a clutch plate therebetween, of anoperating lever pivotally connected to thermember and extending inwardlyto,-

Wards the axis of the clutch relatively close 'and adapted to bear-against the outer face vof the clampingplatevthe pivot connection ofthelever able with the opposite end of the link, one; of the parts beingmovablev relative to 'theotheln PERCY H. BTTEN.'

W. lMORRIS.

